Cosmetic applicator having fibres

ABSTRACT

A device for packaging and applying a makeup product, having a reservoir containing the makeup product to be applied, and an applicator for applying the makeup product, having an applicator member, carried by the stem, having a plurality of fibres, the fibres having a plurality of portions, at least two portions of which are made of different materials, and the fibres not having, in cross section, an articulated zone defined by one of the portions, the portions made of different materials each defining a part of the outer perimeter p of the fibre in section, or one of the portions made of different materials entirely surrounding the other in section and having at least one region that narrows towards the outside.

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a makeup product to human keratin materials and to a makeup method.

The invention relates more particularly to a packaging and application device having an applicator that has an applicator member comprising fibres for applying the product to the keratin materials, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

A large number of applicators of this type, in which the applicator member is in the form of a brush referred to as a twisted wire brush having a core formed by two arms of a metal wire that are twisted together and grip the fibres, or is in the form of a brush referred to as a baleen brush, having a bundle of substantially parallel fibres, are known.

Patent Applications US 2002/0034636 and US 2004/0091704 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,445 relate to brushes for oral or bodily hygiene.

Patent Application US 2002/0034636 discloses fibres comprising a first polymer and a second polymer embedded as a thin layer in the first polymer. Under the action of a sufficient mechanical force, the fibre splits into a plurality of filaments at the thin layers formed by the second polymer.

Patent Application US 2004/0091704 describes co-extruded fibres that each comprise two materials, at least one of which comprises a mixture of polyamide and polyester. The fibre can consist of a core made of a first material, defining a portion of the periphery of the fibre, and of a segment made of a second material, completing the periphery.

Patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,445 relates to fibres that each comprise a plastic core and a jacket made of profiled thermoplastic elastomer.

European Patent Application EP 0 933 043 relates to a twisted wire brush. Along their length, the fibres have at least two preferential deformation zones that define, in cross section, articulations. The latter can be formed by two narrowed zones or by zones that comprise a more flexible material.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a makeup product to human keratin materials, and more particularly but not exclusively the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

Thus, a subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a makeup product, having:

-   -   a reservoir containing the makeup product to be applied, and     -   an applicator for applying the cosmetic product, having:         -   an applicator member having a plurality of fibres, the             fibres each having a plurality of portions, at least two             portions of which are made of different materials, and the             fibres not having, in cross section, an articulated zone             defined by one of said portions,     -   (i) the portions each defining a part of the outer perimeter of         the fibre in cross section, or     -   (ii) one of said portions entirely surrounding the other of said         portions made of different materials in cross section and having         at least one region that narrows towards the outside.

A “portion” is understood to be a single-material part of the fibre, delimited by the outer surface of the fibre and/or by at least one other part of the fibre formed of a different material.

The fact that the portions of different materials each define, in cross section, a part of the outer perimeter makes it possible in particular to have different properties on one and the same fibre, in particular different affinities with regard to certain constituents that are used in the formulation of the makeup product.

This can make it possible to increase the retention of the product by the fibre and/or to have an applicator that is compatible with a greater variety of products.

The two materials may have different heat shrink properties, thereby making it possible to give each fibre, by heating, a curvature that is dependent on the arrangement of said portions within the fibre.

The cross section of the fibres according to the invention is particularly advantageous when the fibres are used to manufacture a mascara brush, being clamped between two metal strands that are twisted together. In this case, the fibres according to the invention tend to be oriented in different directions depending on the way in which each is clamped between the strands. Since the orientation of the section of the fibres between the strands of the core is random, this tends to break the spiral effect on the brush and makes it possible to obtain improved performance in terms of loading and separation of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

Each fibre may have between 2 and 8 of said portions.

Each fibre may have between 2 and 4 portions made of different materials.

Said portions may be co-extruded.

The fibres may have a cylindrical shape. The fibres may have a circular or non-circular cross section, in particular in the shape of a §, a double blade, a regular or irregular polygon, a droplet, nested circles, or a star, this list not being limiting.

The fibres may or may not have a concavity towards the outside in cross section.

The fibres may have a solid or hollow cross section.

The abovementioned portions may each have a constant section and extend longitudinally along the entire length of the fibre. Preferably, said portions are continuous along the entire length of the fibre. This makes it easier to manufacture said fibres, in particular by co-extrusion.

Preferably, the portions are each made of a plastics material, in particular of a thermoplastic material, notably polyamide (PA), elastomer, notably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT), rubber, or mixtures thereof, in particular a mixture of PA, PBT and rubber or elastomer and polyamide. Such materials make it possible to have fibres that are easy to manufacture, with good flexibility properties. Preferably, at least one of the portions is made of PTFE. This material has good sliding properties on keratin fibres.

Preferably, at least two of said portions made of different materials have a difference of at least 10 units on the same Shore hardness scale, better still a difference of at least 20 units. Such a difference in hardness makes it possible to have fibres which have different flexibility depending on the bending direction.

Said portions made of different materials preferably each occupy, in cross section, between 20% and 80% of the section formed by the joining of this portion to another, adjacent portion made of a different material, better still between 30% and 70%, even better still between 40% and 60%.

Preferably, the adjacent portions made of different materials are separated, in cross section, by a contact line with a length greater than or equal to 1/16, better still greater than or equal to ⅛, of the perimeter of the area formed by the joining of said two adjacent portions. This perimeter can correspond to the total perimeter of the fibre when the latter only has two portions.

Each portion may have a perimeter in cross section which has or does not have a concavity.

Each portion may have a cross section with a shape that is substantially circular or non-circular, in particular in the shape of an oval, an ellipse, a regular or irregular polygon, in particular a triangle, a comma, a sector, a star, a kidney or a pear.

Each fibre preferably has a shape factor L/e less than or equal to 5, better still less than or equal to 4, the shape factor L/e being defined in cross section by the ratio of the greatest length L of the fibre to the greatest dimension e of the fibre in a direction perpendicular to that of the greatest length L.

As a result, the fibres are flattened relatively little.

The greatest width L of the fibre in section may be between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm, better still between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

The greatest dimension e of the fibre in a direction perpendicular to the greatest width L is between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm, better still between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm.

The cross section of the fibres is preferably never the image of itself when rotated through an angle less than 180°.

At least one of said portions may have, in cross section, a region that narrows towards the outside.

The fibre may have two separated portions made of one and the same material, these two portions being for example diametrically opposed.

The applicator may have at least two different sorts of fibre.

The applicator may have a stem to which the applicator member is fixed.

Although the invention applies preferably to a twisted wire brush, the applicator may alternatively have a bundle of fibres, the fibres being substantially parallel to one another and forming a brush of the baleen type or a fine brush. The stem of the applicator may then have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the fibres. In a variant, as in the case of a twisted wire brush, the stem is substantially perpendicular to the fibres.

A further subject of the invention is a makeup method comprising the step of applying a makeup product to human keratin materials with the packaging and application device according to the invention.

A further subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing a packaging and application device according to the invention, comprising the step of heating the applicator member so as to bring about the deformation of the fibres.

Preferably, those portions of the fibres that are made of different materials have different heat shrink properties. During the heating step, the portions shrink differently, and the fibres then each assume a corresponding curvature.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a packaging and application device,

FIGS. 2 to 16 illustrate variants of fibres in cross section, and

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of another example of an applicator.

The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a container 2 containing a makeup product P to be applied, in particular to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, for example mascara, and an applicator 3 having a stem 4 of longitudinal axis X, provided at one end 4 a with an applicator member 5 and at the opposite end with a gripping member 6 that likewise serves to close the container 2. The latter has a neck 7 which is externally threaded so as to allow the gripping member 6 to be screwed on.

A wiping member 8 is fixed inside the neck 7 in order to wipe the stem 4 and the applicator member 5 as they are withdrawn from the container 2. This wiping member 8 has a flexible lip 9 that defines a, for example circular, wiping orifice, the diameter of which corresponds more or less to that of the stem 4.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the use of a particular wiping member and further wiping members can be used, for example a wiping member with a wavy lip and/or having one or more slits.

In the example illustrated, the stem 4 is rectilinear but it could be curved without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the example in question, the applicator member 5 has a twisted core 10 formed in a conventional manner by two metal strands that are twisted together, in particular two strands made of one and the same metal wire folded on itself. This core 10 is fixed at one end in a housing in the stem 4, being for example force-fitted into this housing.

The applicator member 5 has fibres 11 which are held in a clamped manner between the twisted metal strands of the core 10.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, these fibres 11 each have at least two portions 13 and 15 made of different materials.

The portions 13 and 15 are preferably made of a plastics material, preferably of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyamide (PA), elastomer, polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT), rubber, or mixtures thereof, in particular a mixture of PA, PBT and rubber or elastomer and PA.

Preferably, the fibres 11 are formed by co-extrusion.

The greatest width L of the fibre 11 in section, in this case the diameter, may be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

In the example in FIG. 2, the fibre 11 has a circular shape in section and the portions 13 and 15 are each in the form of a semicircle and define half of the fibre 11 in section. The shape factor L/e is in this case equal to 1.

In section, the line of contact S₃₅ between the portions 13 and 15 has a size greater than ⅛ of the perimeter p of the area formed by the two portions 13 and 15, corresponding in this case to the total perimeter of the fibre 11. The ratio S₃₅/p is in this case equal to 1/π.

The example in FIG. 3 differs from the one in FIG. 2 in that it has four distinct sectors 13 a, 13 b, 15 a and 15 b made of two different materials, each forming a portion within the meaning of the invention and each occupying a quarter of the section of the fibre 11. The diametrically opposed portions 13 a and 13 b are made of a first material, and the likewise diametrically opposed portions 15 a and 15 b are made of a second material. The ratio S₃₅/p is in this case equal to 1/(π+2), p being the perimeter of the area formed by two adjacent portions, in this case corresponding to the perimeter of a half-fibre 11.

The example in FIG. 4 differs from the one in FIG. 3 in that the fibre has two diametrically opposed portions 13 a and 13 b made of one and the same first material, and two portions 15 and 17 made of respective second and third materials, the portions 13 a, 13 b, 15 a and 15 b each occupying a quarter of the section of the fibre 11.

The example in FIG. 5 differs from the one in FIG. 2 in that the fibre 11 has three portions 13, 15 and 17 made of different materials. The portion 13 has a section which is twice that of the two other portions 15 and 17 that each occupy a quarter of the section of the fibre 11. The ratios S₃₅/p₃₅ and S₃₇/p₃₇ are equal to 1/(3π/2+2) and the ratio S₅₇/p₅₇ is equal to 1/(π+2), p₃₅ being the perimeter of the area formed by the pair of adjacent portions 13 and 15, p₃₇ being the perimeter of the area formed by the pair of adjacent portions 13 and 17, and p₅₇ being the perimeter of the area formed by the pair of adjacent portions 15 and 17.

The example in FIG. 6 differs from the one in FIG. 3 in that the fibre 11 has four portions 13, 15, 17 and 19 made of four respective different materials that each occupy a quarter of the fibre 11.

The example in FIG. 7 differs from the one in FIG. 6 in that the four portions 13, 15, 17 and 19 occupy sectors of the fibre 11 with different sizes. The contact lines S₃₅, S₅₇, S₇₉ and S₃₉ are in this case identical lengths that are equal to the radius of the cross section of the fibre 11. The ratios S_(ij)/p_(ij) are different for each pair of adjacent portions made of different materials but are each less than or equal to 1/16, better still ⅛, p_(ij) being the perimeter of the area formed by the pair of adjacent portions 1 i and 1 j.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fibre 11 having a section in the shape of a droplet (tear) having a first portion 13 made of a first material, having a circular section forming the round part of the droplet, and a second portion 15 made of a second material, having a substantially triangular shape in section, forming the point of the droplet. The shape factor L/e is less than 2. In section, the line of contact S₃₅ between the portions 13 and 15 has a size greater than ⅛ of the total perimeter p of the fibre 11.

FIG. 9 shows a fibre 11, the section of which is in the form of nested discs, having two portions 13 and 15 made of different materials. The portion 13 forms a large circle and the portion 15 forms a small circle nested in the portion 13. The shape factor L/e is less than 2. In section, the line of contact S₃₅ between the portions 13 and 15 has a size greater than ⅛ of the total perimeter p of the fibre 11.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the fibre 11 is in the overall shape of a § in section, the fibre 11 narrowing towards the top, terminating at a point oriented towards the right, and narrowing towards the bottom, terminating in a point oriented towards the left. The first portion 13 forms the central part and top of the § and the portion 15 forms the bottom part of the §. The shape factor L/e is less than 4. The external contour of the fibre 11 may be symmetric with respect to its central axis. In section, the line of contact S₃₅ between the portions 13 and 15 has a size greater than ⅛ of the total perimeter p of the fibre 11.

The example in FIG. 11 differs from the one in FIG. 10 in that the first portion 13 has a circular shape in section and forms the core of the §. The second portion 15 covers all of the first portion 13 and gives the fibre 11 its § shape in section. The fibre is symmetric with respect to its central axis.

FIG. 12 shows a fibre 11 in which the first portion 13 has a circular shape. The second portion 15 covers all of the first portion 13 in section and forms points 21 diametrically away from one another relative to the central axis of the fibre 11. The shape ratio L/e is less than 3. The fibre 11 is symmetric with respect to its central axis. In section, the line of contact S₃₅ between the portions 13 and 15 has a size greater than ⅛ of the total perimeter p of the fibre 11.

The example in FIG. 13 differs from those in the preceding figures in that the fibre 11 has three portions 13, 15 a and 15 b made of two different materials. The portion 13, of circular section, is made of a first material and the portions 15 a and 15 b are made of a second material, each being substantially in the form of an isosceles triangle in section. The portion 13 forms the centre of the fibre 11 and the portions 15 a and 15 b face away from one another relative to the central axis of the fibre 11, their bases 23 being in contact with the portion 13. In section, the contact line S_(35a) between the portions 13 and 15 a has a size greater than ⅛ of the perimeter pa of the section formed by the portions 13 and 15 a, and the contact line S_(35b) between the portions 13 and 15 b has a size greater than ⅛ of the perimeter p_(b) of the section formed by the portions 13 and 15 b.

The example in FIG. 14 differs from the one in FIG. 4 in that the fibre 11 is Y-shaped and has three portions 13, 15 and 17 made of three different materials that each occupy a third of the fibre 11 in section. Each portion 13, 15 and 17 can form one arm of the Y. In a variant, each portion can form a V extending on two arms of the Y. Preferably, the legs of the Y form an angle α equal to 120° between one another, but this does not have to be the case. The contact lines S₃₅, S₃₇ and S₅₇ have a size greater than 1/16 of the respective parameters P₃₅, P₃₇ and P₅₇. The ratio L/e is less than 2.

The example in FIG. 15 differs from the one in FIG. 14 in that the fibre has two portions 13 and 14 made of two different materials. The first portion 13 forms an arm of the Y and the second portion 15 forms two arms of the Y. In a variant, the first portion 13 may be V-shaped and the second portion 15 Y-shaped.

FIG. 16 illustrates a fibre 11 in section in the form of a double blade having two portions 13 and 15 made of two different materials. The first portion 13 has a circular shape and defines the core of the fibre 11, the second portion 15 surrounds the first portion with a central part in the form of a circle and has ends in the form of blades. The ends narrow and are each connected in section to the central part by a straight line 30 and a curve 32 that is concave towards the outside. The concave curve 32 has a radius of curvature R less than or equal to the radius of the central part of the second portion.

In a variant, the fibres may be hollow.

FIG. 16 illustrates an applicator having a stem 4 of longitudinal axis X, provided at one end 4 a with an applicator member 5 and at the opposite end with a gripping member 6, the applicator member 5 being formed by a bundle of substantially parallel fibres 11 according to the invention.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, and the characteristics of the various examples can be combined with one another within variants that are not illustrated.

For example, the brush can be subjected to a hot air blower in order to cause at least some of the fibres to deform. The fibres can also be brought into contact with a hot surface. The exposure to a heating means can cause the fibres to curve, on account of the presence of the portions made of different materials.

The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary. 

1.-14. (canceled)
 15. A device for packaging and applying a makeup product, having: a reservoir containing the makeup product to be applied, and an applicator for applying the makeup product, having: an applicator member, carried by the stem, having a plurality of fibres, the fibres having a plurality of portions, at least two portions of which are made of different materials, and the fibres not having, in cross section, an articulated zone defined by one of the portions, (i) the portions made of different materials each defining a part of the outer perimeter p of the fibre in section, or (ii) one of the portions made of different materials entirely surrounding the other in section and having at least one region that narrows towards the outside.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein each fibre has between 2 and 8 of said portions.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein each fibre has between 2 and 8 portions made of different materials.
 18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the portions are co-extruded.
 19. The device according to claim 15, wherein the portions have a constant section and extend longitudinally along the entire length of the fibre.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the portions are continuous along the entire length of the fibre.
 21. The device according to claim 15, wherein said portions made of different materials have a difference of at least 10 units on the same Shore hardness scale.
 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein said portions made of different materials have a difference of at least 20 units.
 23. The device according to claim 15, wherein said portions each occupy, in cross section, between 20% and 80% of the section formed by the joining of this portion to an adjacent portion made of a different material.
 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said portions each occupy, in cross section, between 30% and 70% of the section formed by the joining of this portion to an adjacent portion made of a different material.
 25. The device according to claim 23, wherein said portions each occupy, in cross section, between 40% and 60% of the section formed by the joining of this portion to an adjacent portion made of a different material.
 26. The device according to claim 15, wherein two of said portions made of different materials are separated, in cross section, by a contact line with a length greater than or equal to 1/16 of the perimeter of the area formed by the joining of these portions.
 27. The device according to claim 26, wherein two of said portions made of different materials are separated, in cross section, by a contact line with a length greater than or equal to ⅛ of the perimeter of the area formed by the joining of these portions.
 28. The device according to claim 15, wherein each fibre has a shape factor L/e less than or equal to 5, the shape factor L/e being defined in section by the ratio of the greatest length L of the fibre to the greatest dimension e of the fibre in a direction perpendicular to that of the greatest length L.
 29. The device according to claim 28, wherein each fibre has a shape factor L/e less than or equal to
 4. 30. The device according to claim 15, wherein the fibres have, in cross section, a region that narrows towards the outside.
 31. The device according to claim 15, wherein at least two separated portions are made of one and the same material.
 32. The device according to claim 15, wherein the applicator has a core formed by a metal strand folded on itself and twisted, the fibres being clamped between the strands of the core.
 33. A makeup method comprising the step of applying a makeup product to human keratin materials with the packaging and application device according to claim
 15. 34. A method for manufacturing a device according to claim 15, comprising the step of heating the applicator member so as to bring about the deformation of the fibres. 